Encore – Steel Brothers Saga Read Online Helen Hardt

Categories Genre: Alpha Male Tags Authors:
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Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 78576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
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I draw in another breath.

Time to focus on the task at hand, see Donny and Callie, get these damned new deeds recorded.

And then…my father.

I stand at the door to my father’s office for a solid five minutes before I finally gather up enough courage to knock.

“Come in.”

I open the door slowly. The hinges squeak.

Dad looks up and smiles. “Dave. How are you doing?”

I stand in the doorway. “Not bad.” I clear my throat.

Dad gestures to one of the burgundy plush wingback chairs facing his desk. “Take a seat, won’t you?”

I nod and slowly sit down in the chair.

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

It should be easy to say. I want to change careers, Dad. I want to work with Uncle Talon and Brianna in the orchards.

And then he’ll burst into tears, asking me how I could do this to him right as he’s about to lose his best friend to brain cancer.

I swallow. My dad won’t do that. I’m just imagining the worst possible scenario.

“So, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve been a little…off since returning to the States.”

Dad clasps his hands together on his desk and nods. “Of course. We’ve all been affected by Joe’s news, and I know you were still a little shaken from that trouble on the plane to Paris.”

I take a deep breath in. “Yes. And I’ve had a hard time readjusting to work since getting back. But last week, a thought struck me. I called Brianna and asked if she could use any help in the orchards that day.”

Dad cocks his head. “You worked in the orchards?”

I nod. “Surprised the hell out of me. But for some reason, in that moment, I was craving manual labor, and by a twist of fate, Bree was working outside because one of her foremen called in sick. I needed something physical to help my mind iron out some of the kinks. And the weird thing was that it worked, Dad.”

Dad strokes his chin. “The mind and body are one and the same, so that makes sense on a certain level.” He looks over at me. “But why did you need to tell me this, Dave? Surely you’re leading up to something.”

I run my hands through my hair. “Yeah, Dad, I am. When I was working with Brianna, everything just fell into place. Several hours passed, and I didn’t even realize it until the sun started to set.”

Dad frowns but doesn’t say anything.

“And it got me thinking,” I go on, “that maybe that is what I should be doing for the family business. Working in the orchards, doing the work, getting my hands dirty. Instead of sitting behind a computer screen all day.”

Dad narrows his gaze. “Are you saying that what I do isn’t noble work?”

I put my hands up in front of me. “Of course not, Dad. It’s just… I don’t think it’s how I want to spend my life. Anyone in the family can do what I do, and they can do it better. But I think I can make a real difference in the orchard, especially once Uncle Talon decides to hang up his hat for good.”

Dad closes his eyes and takes a slow breath in.

This is it. He’s going to explode on me.

So I keep talking, trying to stave off the blast. “In the orchard, I feel alive, connected to nature. I love the fresh air, the scent of the soil, the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind. It’s peaceful yet invigorating. I found joy there, and it’s where I see my future. Plus, with my business background, I’ll be a valuable asset to Uncle Tal when he’s working on that end.”

He opens his eyes, and I brace myself.

But he doesn’t explode. “Dave,” he says calmly, “I won’t pretend I’m not disappointed. I love working with you on the admin side of things.”

“I know, and I’m so⁠—”

Dad holds up a hand to quiet me. “That said, I would be a horrible father to deny you the opportunity to try a new path if you think it will lead you to happiness. I’ll miss having you around, but you have to do what you have to do. Have you talked to Talon about this?”

I nod. “I have.”

“Then it seems to be settled.”

I get to my feet. “Thanks, Dad. I know you won’t regret this.”

Dad laughs softly. “It’s funny. Your sister was in here not an hour ago asking if there was a position for her with me once she graduates from college.”

“Angie? No. She’s got her heart set on medical school. It must be Sage.”

Dad smiles. “Yes, Sage. This whole thing with Uncle Joe got her thinking about her future in a way she never has, I think. You know Sage. Always up for a good time. I told her that of course I’d find a place for her.”


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